Nyx De Riva? Yeah, I've heard of him.

History (TW: Slavery/SA mention):

Nyx was born on the outskirts of Tevinter to a Dalish elf and a Tevinter soporati. They were making their way to Arlathan Forest to join the Veiljumpers when slavers caught their scent and hunted them down. His mother was killed and his father barely escaped, but he left behind his child, still in his partner’s arms. Nyx’s original name was Ven'arla. He was only two when he was captured by slavers and sold off to the highest bidder, Danarius. Nyx was abused physically, mentally, and sexually throughout his childhood. His magic was discovered at age four, to where Danarius took even more of a ‘special interest’ in him.

When Nyx turns six, a few elvhen slaves plan an escape. Afraid for their lives and unable to wield weapons, the adults and teens recruited Nyx into their escape attempt as someone to protect them with his magic. At this point, Nyx had little training, but could still control it to some extent. They made it out of the city, but Danarius and his guards caught up to them quickly and cornered them in an abandoned building. When Nyx realized Danarius was among the guards, he grew frightened. The other slaves yelled at him to kill Danarius and when Nyx tried to use his magic, it backfired and shot straight through his body and into three slaves behind him. No one knows how Nyx’s body was able take all that concentrated lightning, but he survived while the other ones hit by his magic perished. This accident left Nyx scarred and unable to walk for months afterwards.

Soon after, Danarius leaves for Kirkwall and does not return. Rumors spread he died and his slaves were quickly rounded up and shipped out to different locations to be sold off. Nyx is among the slaves being transported through Treviso when Fenris finds them and kills the slavers imprisoning them. Once released, the slaves scatter, most of them scared of Nyx or refusing to even consider taking him. Fenris, left with an 8-year-old child, decides to contact the Crows. He meets Caterina and asks that she take him in and train him to become a Crow to avoid death on the streets. Caterina begrudgingly accepts Nyx. This is the first time Nyx meets Lucanis and Illario. Viago, being ten years older than him and still under Caterina's jurisdiction, is ordered to take Nyx under his wing. Viago and Nyx become attached at the hip with almost a sibling or even a romantic relationship (AU dependent).

Nyx doesn’t speak for the first few months during his time with the Crows, and many believe he is mute. Once he starts to thrive under the harsh training, he begins to speak to others. Nyx had the best training from Viago once Viago creates the de Riva house, and while he was bullied, his mentor chose Nyx as his protege. When Nyx is 17, he meets Illario Dellamorte, who begins to show interest in him beyond platonic. Nyx refuses his advances, as he doesn't want something shallow between them. They become fast friends. At 19, Nyx is sent out on his first contract alone, his final test before becoming a fully-fledged Crow. The mission goes sideways because Nyx grows cocky. He gets the kill, but not before the target slashed a knife across his face, catching his lip and leaving behind a nasty wound from his lip to his ear.

When he arrives back home, he gets berated by Viago and as he’s heading back to the de Riva estate, Illario catches him. Illario, thinking Nyx was severely injured due to being covered in blood, pulls him aside privately to make sure he was okay. After he patches up Nyx, they share their first kiss. Illario and Nyx get into a tentative relationship that involves a lot of secret meetings and fleeting glances. Two years into the relationship, Illario tells Nyx he was using him and breaks things off, leaving him devastated. He delves back into training and contracts to keep his mind off of everything.

A year later, Nyx takes a contract in Minrathous. The contract is for a slave owner and a mage. While sneaking in to kill him, he accidentally runs into a Shadow Dragon operation trying to free the target’s slaves. After some hostility and questioning, Nyx agrees to help them free the slaves before he kills his target. The plan goes great and they free all the slaves; meanwhile Nyx kills his target flawlessly. The Viper, who was leading the mission, invites Nyx to join the Shadow Dragons. Nyx wants to, and informs Viago. After Viago agrees, on the condition that Nyx accepts all contracts that are in Minrathous, Nyx stays in Minrathous and joins the Shadow Dragons. He returns home a year and a half before Veilguard and that’s where he gets into trouble with the Antaam and meets Varric.

Screenies of his new design!:

Art of him: